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Thursday, November 23, 2023
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A Pause In the Spirit of the Holiday
at Ontario Conference Headquarters
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Today, at the Ontario Conference, employees assembled as a “staff family” to decorate the lobby for the holiday season.
President Bibulovic stated, “In this busy time of preparations and meetings, we are taking this moment as an office family to build each other up, as Jesus did, and we pray the same spirit fills homes and churches throughout the season.”
Danielle Rop, secretary to the president, shared her excitement, “Doing this brings us as a team closer together, and it is wonderful to see the building with a beautiful splash of holiday colour!”
Working hand in hand, the foyer was soon adorned with bright red bows, twinkling lights and a towering tree as the Conference team put the finishing touches on the decorations. To celebrate the accomplishment, the staff came together for fellowship and refreshments.
“There is something special about sharing Christ and the holidays with your coworkers, “ shared Alvin Ram, director of Trust Services and Planned Giving.
As the Conference continues to pray daily for the members and ministry happening throughout the province, we wish you a safe and blessed time in the upcoming holiday season.
Kristen Whyte-Bailey
Communications Secretary
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Ontario Conference Welcomes
New Pastoral Hires
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From left to right: Lal Mawitea, Ha Rim Ji, Romario Bannick, Ariel Ganob, Associate Ministerial Secretary Raul Gonzalez, Ministerial Secretary Frankie Lazarus, Human Resources Officer Lila Oliveira, Andre Johnson, President Jakov Bibulović, Kevan Barnaby, Benjamin Kim, Rod Lamanero Tabingo, Joel Kim, Romean Smith
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The Ontario Conference of the Seventh-day Adventist Church recently extended a warm welcome to the latest pastoral hires with a day-long orientation at the Conference office. Since September 2023, several new hires have been added to the ministerial team, expanding and revitalizing the Church's ministry.
The day of orientation, the first in a series planned by the administration, was led by the Ministerial department in collaboration with Human Resources to provide an opportunity for the pastors to familiarize themselves with administrative policy, best practices, and the strategic direction of the Conference.
This orientation is a crucial step in the overall onboarding process. Ontario Conference administration is committed to nurturing and equipping its pastoral workforce with the necessary tools and understanding to serve their congregations and communities effectively.
President Jakov Biboluvić shared, "We are happy to welcome our new pastors as they begin their ministerial journey here in Ontario. We are eager to support and work alongside our new colleagues as we continue spreading hope and wholeness through Jesus."
Let us pray for these new pastors as they receive their assignments and pursue the ministry God called them to.
Stay tuned to the OCN for the Conference's latest pastoral assignments and transfers.
Pastor Shawn Ellis
Director of Communications and Media
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Pastor Rod Tabingo and his family were introduced at the
Hamilton Filipino Seventh-day Adventist Church on November 4.
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Faith, Education, Ministry:
Remembering Lily Walker
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Today, at Scarborough Adventist church, the Ontario Conference recognized the passing of Lily Walker, a woman of faith, an educator, a Pathfinder and Adventure leader whose legacy spanned continents and shaped the lives of generations of young people. She passed to her rest on November 9, 2023.
In addition to the many individuals who came to support the family, many Crawford Adventist Academy East and Main campus students and teachers were given a special PD day by the Conference so children and teachers who knew her could attend the funeral. Numerous pastors from the Ontario Conference, including Pastor Edwin Martin, Director of Adventurers, Masterguide and Pathfinder Ministries, and Pastor Reynold Hazelwood, Director of Education, and Pastor Frankie Lazarus, Ministerial Secretary for the Ontario Conference, were also in attendance.
Sister Walker was born in Five Rivers Arouca on the sunny Island of Trinidad and Tobago. She graduated from St. Georges College, was an alumna of Mausica Teachers Training College, and was the principal of San Juan Adventist School in the Caribbean. She then migrated to Canada and taught at Crawford Adventist Academy in Toronto, Ontario, for approximately 28 years, where she nurtured and cared for many students.
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During the service, a previously recorded interview with Sis Walker was played. She shared how she was diagnosed with leukemia in her youth, and her doctor sent her home, refusing to treat her as he expected her to die soon. She explained that she went to an Adventist hospital that began a series of treatments. During that time, she made a covenant with the Lord that if she survived, she would serve him to her "last day." She kept her promise, as shared by Velma Morgan. Executive Coordinator, Ontario Conference Adventurer Council. In her tribute, she said that in Sis Lily's final days in the hospital, she was writing questions for the upcoming Adventurer Bible Games, which were used two days after her death.
Two touching, tearful tributes were given by L'Mar and Ki'ana, two young adults who remembered her from the age of four. They spoke of her loving care and daily affirmations, which continued into adulthood with daily motivational texts.
In a humorous moment, L'Mar spoke of Sis Walker as his "doctor." He told the story of when he injured his hand, and doctors said he might lose a finger. Sis Walker's said, "Nonsense!". Each day, she came with her daily "concoctions" to apply to his injured hand. L'Mar exclaimed, "I'm pleased to say I still have all ten fingers!" to the laughter of the attendees.
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Judy Burgin Hall, principal of Crawford East, gave remarks on behalf of the Crawford family of schools and the Education Department at the Ontario Conference. "The way she interacted with children at the school, you would think they were her own," she said. She then read a list of tributes from adults who had grown up under sister Walker's instruction and guidance, many of whom are currently teachers today. The messages were similar: without Sister Walker's love and guidance, they would not be the successful people they are today. Crawford teachers, including many who gave tributes, came together as a choir to sing "In the Morning When I Rise" in tribute.
Pastor Charles Leader, in his homely, reminded those in attendance that Sister Walker's ministry was not only to the youth but also that she greatly supported pastors in their work with the youth.
Sister Walker will be deeply missed. Her contributions will not be forgotten. She leaves behind sisters, numerous nieces and nephews, grandnieces and nephews, their wives and children.
Pastor Shawn Ellis
Director of Communications and Media
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Highlights from Sudbury
Seventh-day Adventist Church
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On October 21, President Jakov Bibulović was the keynote speaker at the Sudbury Seventh-day Adventist Church. The theme was "From Membership to Discipleship" and included an all-day training program. Individuals from surrounding churches participated in the workshop, including North Shore, Iron Bridge, Sault Ste Marie, and South River members. Everyone was treated to a delicious potluck luncheon!
Sudbury also had a powerful week of prayer, resulting in a young church member deciding to give their life to Jesus. Her decision inspired many other young people to come forward and declare their intentions of getting baptized or learning more about Jesus!
Caitlin Arjoon
Communication Secretary
Sudbury Seventh-day Adventist Church
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Resilient Youth Find Inspiration
at Thrive Retreat
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In this investigative report, I explore the current landscape of Ontario's Adventist young adults in ministry. Building from part one, I highlight the strategies used by those who feel "Churched Out" as they ascend to leadership roles in ministry within the church and the communities they serve.
The focus is on the Ontario Conference's Youth Ministries "Thrive: Young Adult Summit." Located at the Muskoka Woods campground, Thrive drew participants from across Ontario and served as a dynamic platform for young adults to prepare for ministry leadership.
Pastor Jakov Bibulović, president of the Ontario Conference, called on young adults to foster change within our church culture, urging them to be agents of change in their local churches and communities. Participants were further encouraged when Pastor Kelly, a change agent from Loma Linda University Adventist Church, openly shared her story about facing and overcoming challenges as a woman and new pastor.
For some, being an agent of change working in ministry can lead to being "Churched out": emotional, physical and spiritual exhaustion. The summit provided workshops and discussions towards addressing burnout and emphasizing the need for balancing passion for ministry and self-care.
In discussions, Adventist youth acknowledged the blessings of active ministry involvement and the risks of being "Churched Out." There was a sharing of practical strategies to remain equipped and energized for sustained ministry engagement. Some takeaways include having mindful health practices, prioritizing rest, and making other healthy lifestyle choices.
A high point of the weekend was my conversation with Derek, an individual previously unacquainted with church life, who attended the summit based on a friend's suggestion. In his words, "Attending Thrive opened my eyes to a welcoming community and a new perspective on church."
In conclusion, this investigative report on Adventist young adults in ministry has shed light on the challenging experiences of being "Churched Out" in the context of leadership roles within the Church and beyond. However, it has also highlighted the strategies these young adults employ to remain resilient, energized, and committed to shaping church culture and extending its influence into the broader societal context. As agents of change, leaders, influencers, and catalysts for positive change, these young adults will be critical players in the future of the Adventist church.
Shane Larrow
Contributing Reporter
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Last week, the Adventist Development and Relief Agency (ADRA) celebrated 40 years of helping communities worldwide.
ADRA has been the official humanitarian agency of the
Seventh-day Adventist Church since 1985. They work with communities in Canada and around the world to end extreme poverty and deliver emergency relief. In more than 100 countries, they provide water, sanitation, health, food, education, and income opportunities so that all may live as God intended.
Click to watch a brief history of ADRA.
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Calling All Media Creators!
The Ontario Conference Communication and Media team is creating a Social Media team to help preach the Gospel of Jesus! If you are active on social media and/or love to create posts, we want to hear from you! Please send your name and number to ocn@adventistontario.org, and we will follow up with you soon!
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What's Happening Around the Conference
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This supporting even for women is recommended by the Ontario Conference Women's Ministries Department. |
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The Seventh-day Adventist Church of Newfoundland and Labrador (NL Mission) is seeking a Broadcasting Engineer for Lighthouse VOAR-FM. This position is full-time in Mount Pearl, NL and its repeaters. Expected date of hire is April 1, 2024. A combination of experience and education in RF Broadcasting would be an asset. Proficiency in UPS Systems, computer systems and software, encoding of audio streams and Axia Broadcast Systems is required. Master Electronics Technician preferred. The position requires flexibility in schedule, as being on call is a requirement. Applicants should be Seventh-day Adventist in regular standing. Submit resume by email to voar@voar.org or by mail to 1041 Topsail Road, Mount Pearl, NL A1N 5E9. For more information, contact Sherry Griffin at voar@voar.org or (709)325-7627. The deadline for resumes is December 31, 2023.
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Ontario Conference
of the Seventh-day Adventist Church
The Mission
To Reach Ontario and the world
with the distinctive, Christ-centered,
Seventh-day Adventist message
of hope and wholenessThe Vision
Connecting like Jesus
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